‘Hobbit Fan Event’ Unveils Footage From ‘The Desolation of Smaug’

Warner Bros. held what was dubbed “a worldwide fan event” for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” which offered a preview of Peter Jackson’s second film in the “Hobbit” trilogy that comes out Dec. 13. Screenings took place live simultaneously in cities around the world, with stars from the film present in some locations.

In New York, Anderson Cooper hosted the event with Orlando Bloom (Legolas) and Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield). In London were Luke Evans (Bard the Bowman), Lee Pace (Thranduil), and Andy Serkis (Gollum). Over in L.A., Evangeline Lilly (Tauriel) and in Wellington, New Zealand, Jed Brophy (Nori) and director Peter Jackson. Jackson was barefoot during the event (which later prompted Cooper to remove his shoes in New York) and wearing his “Hobbit director costume” as he nursed a cup of tea.